A vintage ring with amber catches the eye the moment it rests on the hand. The cabochon, polished into a smooth, domed form, shimmers from honey yellow through to deep, dark purple, and as the hand turns these hues melt into one another in an unhurried gesture. Amber is fossilised resin rather than an ordinary mineral, and it is this organic history that gives the stone its warm, living depth. In jewellery tradition it has been linked with the sun's warmth and good fortune, which makes this ring a fitting choice for an engagement.

Every amber in this collection is chosen so that colour and clarity sit together consistently within a single stone, free of random discolouration. Silver is rising in price, and fine specimens of amber are growing harder to find, so the fair price of this ring carries extra value. The setting is refined European silver 925 - it is this fineness that confirms the purity of the alloy, free of nickel and other harmful additives, so the metal does not irritate the skin. The French maker's mark on the band confirms the origin of the metal.

In spring the ring pairs well with a pastel trench coat and a silk scarf tied loosely at the neck, where the warm tone of the amber echoes the shades of the coat. A light-coloured handbag and understated jewellery round out the look without overdoing it. The vintage silhouette of the band means the ring also looks good with simpler, everyday outfits - a linen or cotton shirt is enough. The medium size of the stone and the weight of 4.3 grams give the ring a clear presence on the finger, without feeling heavy to wear.